Kellen Sampson continues coaching ascent
Published: 5/24/2011 7:37 AM
Last Modified: 5/24/2011 7:37 AM
Here's a story that tells you everything you need to know about Kellen Sampson (Kellen once told it to CBSSports.com college basketball columnist Gary Parrish):
Around the time his dad was struggling with NCAA phone call bylaws for the second time in as many jobs, Kellen was taking an Indiana class called NCAA Rules and Compliance.
"We were sitting there every day tearing through the rules and regulations of the NCAA," Kellen told Parrish, "and I'm just like, 'You've got to be kidding me.' I felt like the biggest white elephant in the room, especially when we spent a week on the rules and regulations of phone calls. I told the professor, 'I can probably teach this section.'"
Self-aware, whip-smart and incredibly personable. That's been Kellen Sampson since the first day I covered him. He was a starting guard for Norman High. I worked high school basketball for the Norman Transcript.
And the first time he hit a shot to win a game, the first thing he told me afterward was, "John Wooden is rolling over in his grave."
He might have been the hero that night, but he laughed in spite of it, since there had been more turnovers than field goals, and it took his team's third or fourth offensive option to make the game-winner.
I really miss that kid. He's off to Appalachian State, as of Monday, to assist Jason Capel. How's that for ironic.
Kellen spent last year at Stephen F. Austin, his first assistant's gig. The Lumberjacks won 18 games while allowing just 56.7 points to lead the nation in scoring defense. His pops was no doubt proud of both facts.
I'm going to say moving to Appy amounts to a step up the coaching ladder. Kellen is going from football country to a statewide basketball cradle. His family is close by. Capel is a friendly face.
It makes sense. Kellen has always made sense, whether as an NHS starter or a Sooners reserve or an OU grad assistant. He could talk about the game or his dad or his teammates or his rivals or just things in general, and be so wise. And so funny.
The guy is destined to be a head coach, or governor of whatever state he chooses. Probably a head coach, and likely sooner than you can imagine.
Another story. Kellen told me this one:
When he was 12th or 13th man in the OU rotation, a certain Big 12 coach always made a point to shake his hand, wish him well and remind him would help however he could if he ever wanted to enter the family business.
Kellen would shake back, smile and thank Bob Knight, the same Texas Tech boar known to grind his teeth at the mere mention of Kelvin's name.
From Parrish's column written toward the end of the 2009 season: "Kellen Sampson is left to embark on a career where his last name should be an advantage but might not actually be, trusting that coaches and administrators will judge him on his own merits, get to know the impressive young man he had become and give him a chance to succeed in the profession he has always wanted to be a part of."
Two years later, that is exactly what's happening. I couldn't be happier for an old favorite of mine.
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
